1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to imaging methods and devices, and in particular relates to a method and apparatus for processing and compressing color images by color image sensor devices.
2. Background Information
Current methods of color image or video compression, such as those employed with Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) format, usually process data in a fully interpolated color space. Examples of these color spaces include the YUV space having a 4:2:2 ratio (where Y is a luminance component, and U and V are chrominance components or color difference components) and YCbCr space (where Y is a luminance component, Cb is a chrominance-blue component, and Cr is a chrominance-red component). Data is processed in these spaces because a standard raw data stream, such as data in a Bayer pattern, is much more difficult to compress. Also, it is much more difficult to realize high levels of data compression unless done in a standard color space like YCbCr. Thus, most compression algorithms use a preprocessing step of interpolating RGB (Red, Green, Blue) raw data into a standard color space, like YCbCr, prior to applying an image data compression procedure.
YCbCr data typically comprises eight bits or more of luminance data, and eight bits or more of color data per pixel (e.g., the picture element). Raw RGB data usually comprises eight bits or more of luminance data per pixel, with the pixels arranged in a predetermined pattern, such as in a Bayer pattern. Image data compression is employed to reduce data storage requirements and/or to reduce the bandwidth or time required for transmission of image data from one location to another.
As shown by the block 16 of
Accordingly, improvements are needed in the processing of color image data.
A method maps an original color image pattern to a first color image pattern. Color image data of the first color image pattern is compressed and decompressed. The decompressed color image data is remapped into a second color image pattern that is substantially the same as the original color image pattern.
Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention will be described in the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified.
a-3e illustrate an embodiment of a mapping, compression, decompression, and remapping process that can be employed by the method of
a-4g illustrate another embodiment of a mapping, compression, decompression, and remapping process that can be employed by the method of
Embodiments of a method and apparatus for color image data processing and compression are described in detail herein. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided, such as the components of the hardware for color image processing in
Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.
Next at a block 32, the pattern of the RGB raw data from the raw data source of the block 12 is reordered or reorganized by a mapping algorithm. This mapping will be described in further detail below with reference to
At a block 34, the reordered RGB patterns are compressed by a compression engine, using a compression algorithm such as a JPEG-based algorithm, Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT)-based algorithm, or other suitable compression algorithms. Storage and/or transmission at a block 36 can subsequently follow the compression. Next at a block 38, the compressed data is decompressed into a facsimile of (or substantially the same as) the remapped/reordered RGB patterns that were present prior to compression at the block 34. The decompressed RGB patterns at the block 38 comprise most, if not all, of the original color information prior to compression.
At a block 40, the decompressed RGB patterns are remapped or reordered by a reconstruction algorithm. The reconstruction algorithm remaps the decompressed RGB patterns to represent the original RGB raw data pattern that was present prior to the block 32. Subsequently, the reconstructed RGB raw data can be interpolated to a YCbCr space, for example, at a block 42. In another embodiment, interpolation to a YUV space can be performed at the block 42.
In addition (or as an alternative) to the interpolation at the block 42, image enhancement processing can be performed at the block 44. This image enhancement processing can include methods to improve sharpness, color saturation, color rendition, etc. Unlike the prior art methods previously described above, an embodiment of the invention makes image enhancement at the block 44 easier to perform and results in enhanced image quality, since much more of the original color content is maintained throughout the process represented in
As shown by the flow diagram 30 of
Similarly, image enhancement is not performed by an embodiment of the invention until after decompression at the block 38. This image enhancement at the block 44 can be performed in the YCbCr domain, and results in the minimization of negative impacts on image quality brought about, in the prior art, by the loss of color information that occurs during interpolation from raw color image data into a standard color space.
a-3e show an embodiment of the process performed by the blocks 12 and 32-40 of
Typically, the red R and blue B elements/planes are arranged in a square pattern, as shown in
Next, the data in the square G-plane pattern 54 can be compressed and decompressed, via the blocks 32-38 of
With traditional compression algorithms, G-plane data is usually compressed into the Y luminance channel of a YCbCr space, while R- and B-plane data is compressed into the Cr and Cb chrominance channels, respectively. If raw RGB data is applied directly to the compression algorithm without interpolation, a large amount of image degradation in the form of compression artifacts often occurs upon decompression.
Accordingly, another mapping technique of an embodiment of the invention focuses on mapping or reordering the non-square G-plane data, prior to application of a compression algorithm, into multiple square G-planes. Specifically with reference first to
These even and odd G-planes are then compressed and decompressed as separate planes by the blocks 32-38, as represented by patterns 66-68 having g00-g3, element designations in
In contrast, the embodiment of the image sensor system 80 of
The image sensor system 80 comprises an image sensor array 82. The image sensor array 82 includes a plurality of light-sensing elements, along with one or more color filters arranged in a pattern, such as the RGB color pattern 50 of
The sensor reading structure is, in turn, coupled via one or more lines to a reorder/remap unit 86, such that the reorder/remap unit receives a plurality of input signals corresponding to R-, G-, and B-plane color image data (e.g., the RGB raw data). The reorder/remap unit 86 performs the reordering or remapping of the G-plane elements, for example, in a manner such as that shown in
According to one embodiment, the image sensor array 82, sensor reading structure 84, reorder/remap unit 86, and compression unit 88 are located on a single integrated circuit (IC) chip 90. In another embodiment, one or more of these components are not located on-board the IC chip 90, and instead can be located on other IC chips or as separate components in the image sensor system 80. Therefore, embodiments of the invention are not limited by the specific location of the components in the image sensor system 80.
The color image data compressed by the compression unit 88 can be stored in a storage and/or transmission unit 92. The storage and/or transmission unit 92 can comprise any type of suitable machine-readable storage media, including but not limited to, random access memory (RAM), floppy disk, hard disk, etc., and corresponding processing, communication, and transmission hardware that allows stored data to be retrieved and transmitted to other components in the image sensor system 80.
A host computer 94 (or software) can subsequently process the data stored in the storage and/or transmission unit 92. The host computer 94 comprises various hardware (including a processor) and software components, of which only a few are illustrated in
The host computer 94 includes a decompression unit 96 and a reconstruction unit 98, both of which can be embodied in software, to perform the decompression and reconstruction processes previously described above. If interpolation is to be performed (e.g., from an RGB space to a YCbCr space, for example), a color matrix and interpolation unit 100 performs the interpolation, using known techniques. The resulting Y luminance data can be received by a luminance signal processing unit 102, and the resulting Cb and Cr data can be received by a chrominance signal processing unit 104. The processing units 102 and 104 can then generate an output signal 106, or they can provide inputs to an image enhancement unit 108, which can intern perform image quality improvement operations on the color image data.
In summary, embodiments of the present invention provide improved color image data by performing a reordering prior to compression, compressing and decompressing the color image data, and then reconstructing the color image data to its original color pattern. Interpolation and/or image enhancement can be performed after the color image data is decompressed and reconstructed. The result is that much of the original color image data is preserved throughout the process.
The above description of illustrated embodiments of the invention is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the invention are described herein for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize.
These modifications can be made to the invention in light of the above detailed description. The terms used in the following claims should not be construed to limit the invention to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims. Rather, the scope of the invention is to be determined entirely by the following claims, which are to be construed in accordance with established doctrines of claim interpretation.
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 09536892 | Mar 2000 | US |
Child | 10985554 | Nov 2004 | US |